Fractal Define R5 SATA backplane

5 drive backplane is the main part. I printed mine with 25% infill and 5 walls, so it is mostly solid walls for strength. I recently added the 3 drive backplane. It does require trimming one of the square pegs on the 5 drive cage that slide into the 3 drive backplane to retain it, and move the other one so it doesn't interfere with the bracket.

For assembly you will need https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQZ7H1J?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details for the sata part. It attatches using machine screws and nuts. I used #4-40 but it should fit M3, but may be a bit tight. M2.5 would probably be better. The part snaps into the drive cage and is plenty solid with the snaps I made, but I am assuming that they all fit exactly like mine. I couldn't find a good way to retain the frame in the cage, credit to my wife, Vanessa Vaughan Truslow (also an engineer) suggested snaps to retain it in the holes at the end of the rail slots.

for high capacity WD hard drives, they removed the middle screws from the bottom of the drives, which only leaves one screw position when the drives are mounted as they are to the sleds. The sled extensions are a friction fit and allow you to attatch the rear screw position to the hard drive so that it is properly supported.

to reduce insertion force, I shaved the bumps off the inside of the sata extensions female section. This is unnecessary but I decided it wouldnt hurt since the drives are positively retained by the sleds.

Right angle locking sata cables, though beautiful, are not ideal for this part. There is nothing for the lock to attatch to, and those cables usually omit the bumps inside for retention. I worked around that by simply hot gluing them down. inelegant, but functional.